“We wanted to,” Savannah says rounding the table. I stand from Killian’s lap and step into her open arms. She pulls back quickly, keeping a grip on my arms as she looks at me. “What can we do?”
I exhale a long breath. “There’s not a lot we can do. CPS are working on finding a relative, but until then it’s looking like they’ll be placed with a temporary foster family.”
Everyone takes a seat around the table and Bella takes Killian’s hand in his. “Are you okay?” she asks him quietly.
He gives her a nod and a tight-lipped smile. “I’m good, Bells.”
Noah watches the siblings with a faraway look in his eyes, his finger tapping against the table thoughtfully as he chews on his bottom lip.
“Are you allowed to see them?” Savannah asks as she unclips Crue from his carrier.
Killian shrugs. “I’m not sure. I’m waiting for a call from the social worker.”
“You said they’re being placed with a foster family?” Noah asks and all eyes swing to him.
“Yeah,” Killian answers.
Noah looks at Hunter and then Grayson, whose eyes both widen with recognition, something passing between the three brothers. Hunter dips his head in a nod at Noah, and he turns back to Killian, clearing his throat.
Killian’s eyes bounce between the three of them, his brows dipped low. “What?”
“When we were kids, you spent a lot of time at our house,” Noah says slowly, cautiously.
“Yeah?” Killian draws the word out like a question.
“Well, my mom used to listen in on our conversations sometimes. I didn’t know about it at the time, but she heard you telling me about your mom and the things that were happening at home. She came to me when we were around fifteen and asked how I would feel if she adopted you.”
Everyone’s eyes, save from the three Calloway’s, widen slightly. Killian leans forward, his gaze flicking between all three of them. “What?”
“Her and my dad got their foster license and reported your mom to Child Protective Services for neglect. They were going to step in and foster the both of you.” Noah looks between Killian and Bella. “But instead of showing up unannounced, CPS arranged a home visit with your mom,” Noah trails off, looking at Killian expectantly.
Killian continues to frown at him; his face contorted with confusion as he waits for Noah to explain himself.
“Which gave her a chance to sober up and clean up her shit before they got there,” Bella fills in the blanks. “I remember exactly when you’re talking about.”
Killian slumps back in his chair, nodding as if he’s just now recalling the same memory as his sister.
“What does that have to do with anything?” Liv asks from her spot on Grayson’s lap.
“Our parents have a foster license,” Grayson answers.
“Would they be willing to foster Jax and Juliet?” Killian asks. His brow is still furrowed but the slightest bit of hope shines in his eyes.
“They’re already on their way down there to put in an application,” Noah informs us.
Relief flashes through me and a boulder of emotion lodges itself in my throat. All the breath rushes out of Killian in one long exhale, and his entire body deflates as his pent-up worry lessens.
“Did you know about this?” Savannah asks Hunter, her hand smoothing up and down her baby’s back as she burps him.
“I knew about the foster license, but I didn’t know they were planning on putting in an application, no.”
“Well, shit,” Killian breathes out a laugh. He runs a hand through his mussed-up hair. “I can’t believe they planned to adopt us.”
“Yeah. I would’ve had to put up with all four of you,” Bella says with a shiver.
“Hey. Not all of us are as disgusting as Noah,” Hunter chimes in with a wink.
We all chuckle, the mood in the room a lot lighter now that there’s an actual plan in motion. Killian reaches out, his long fingers wrapping around the edge of my chair as he pulls me toward him.
